What October 31st means to me ...

While to some, October 31 means Halloween and trick-or-treating, to me this day has an entirely different meaning. It's the day my Dad was born in 1922. Today would have been his 87th birthday! The story below shares the emotion of "letting him go" in 1991.

My hope, in sharing this story, is to honor the memory of my Dad. He wasn't a big man, but he was a giant in my eyes! He wasn't an educated man for the first half of his life, having only finished sixth grade to help support his mother and siblings when his Dad walked out on them. At age 50, he earned his GED and began Bible college and earned his degree in 1977.

He wasn't a loud man -- he was rather quiet. What drew your attention was his appearance. Many people considered him "distinguished," because he dressed nicely, head his head high and looked like a professor.

Dad wasn't stuck up though -- on the contrary, he was a humble man that knew how to appreciate his blessings, having been raised in the slums of New York city. He reached out to all levels of people won respect from everyone who knew him.

Yikes, I didn't think about all that when I was growing up! To me, he was a fun, relaxed father that didn't mind flying a kite with his fifth daughter. He enjoyed playing games, teasing his kids, loved the holidays and made them special (on a shoestring budget). In other words, he worked hard to provide pleasant family memories for all of us ... something he never had as a child.

He wasn't a center-stage man, preferring to stand on the sidelines and observe someone else take the spotlight. His calling as a minister and college professor (yes, he taught!) put him in front of others again and again.

Here's my story ...

The last gift I gave to my father wasn't wrapped. I hadn't shopped for it nor even paid for it. Actually, it cost me nothing but a moment of time. The giving of that gift all started with a phone call from my sister.

"Daddy's had a massive heart attack," her voice was shaky. "I'm here with Mom, and the doctor just told us to notify the family."

As I hung up, my mind was reeling, like someone had slapped me senseless. How could I possibly get there in time? My parents lived in Missouri, and I was in northeastern Kentucky - as far as you could go before leaving the state. It was a ten hour drive, at best. My husband held me while I cried, then urged me to pack the things we'd need for the next few days. He'd take care of everything else.

We left early the next morning and met his parents in Bowling Green, Kentucky where we handed over our three young children. Visiting them would be a special treat, and that eased my mind while hugging them goodbye. Back on the interstate, we pushed to finish the last half of our trip. I tried calling my mother and sister and got no response. From that point on, it seemed the ta-thump, ta-thump rhythm of our tires mocked, "Too late, Too late!" A severe headache crept up the back of my neck and settled behind my eyes.

When we arrived at St. Francis Hospital, I yanked the door open before the car came to a stop. Dashing down the hall to CCU, I found my family huddled in a corner of the waiting area. One good thing about having a large family in a crisis is that you have a built-in-support system. Another is having someone to hold onto and talk with as you sort through a myriad of emotions. But the down-side is that you can't go as a family group to a patient in cardiac care. We could only go in two at a time.

I dreaded that first peek at Daddy. A dozen wires and tubes were attached to him, and at least half that many machines were whooshing, beeping and buzzing around his bed. I had planned to be brave, but this was more than I bargained for! The man who taught me to live life to the fullest was now dying.

Turning to leave after my second visit, I felt a strong urge to go back in. I longed to give something special to my father - just some little token of my love for him. When I turned around, I found it. Someone had left the blinds open, and bright slits of afternoon light were creeping toward my father's face. Daddy's blue eyes had been sensitive to light as long as I could remember. Maybe the staff thought it wouldn't bother him, since he was in a coma. Maybe they just hadn't had time to close them for the evening. One way or the other, I had no intention of leaving them like that. So I crossed the room, closed the blinds and then bent over to kiss my father's cheek.

"I closed the blinds for you, Daddy," I whispered. "Now the light won't bother your eyes."

Later that night my father died. I've given him many gifts through the years, but I can't help thinking that last little love-gift is the one that meant the most to him. I know it does to me.

Thank you, Lord for the blessing of my wonderful Daddy - John Adam Keltie.

The many faces of Jason Cody

Ahh, the precious poses and facial expressions of a newborn! I took these photos while visiting my new grandson in Virginia this past week. He's a real keeper!


# 1 "The Sleeper"



















#2 "The Philosopher"





















#3 The Communicator"































#4 The Concerned Citizen"

Nan in Virginia!

Here I am holding my new little grandson, Jason Cody. He is three weeks old today! After waiting so long to meet him, having him in my arms is a wonderful feeling!

He has the cutest lil' frown between his brows in this photo and a few other photos I've taken, too. Maybe he's carefully considering everything about his new "outside" world and will soon make a decision ... on whether this one or the other (inside) is best.

What a joy to be here and help out. Today we spent some time rocking and reading and singing and sleeping. I'll say this -- he's one very alert little man who studies things carefully. He can also melt your heart. So far, he's given his Papaw and me some precious little smiles. What a thrill! I felt sorry for Phillip when he had to say goodbye and go back to Alabama yesterday. He had to report to work today, but he's called me twice to check on us. I think he's missing his little buddy.

I'm on a laptop that belongs to my daughter-in-law and can't figure out how to insert additional photos in different spots of this blog, so I'll add more later!

I heard a cry, and my heart responded ...

Our son called the other night to talk about his son awhile. It's a blessing to hear your own child talking about parenthood and the awesome feeling of holding his own tiny newborn. While we talked, I heard a little mewing sound in the background.

Soon, it turned into a tight whimper and then a full, high-pitched cry. My heart responded immediately! Our brand-new grandson was making conversation, though not necessarily with his Nana on the phone. There was a rustling sound and then our son's deep voice.

"Hang on a minute, Nana ..."

More static over the phone as he situated Jason Cody on his shoulder and said, "Okay, big boy, I know there's a burp in there somewhere. Show Nana how you can burp!"

It's an amazing thing how the human heart continues to grow and enlarge through the years. I know mine has certainly expanded each time a new family member has made an appearance.

First, there was a sweet baby girl named Melissa, who made her entrance at 5 a.m. on a lovely Saturday morning in May of 1980. The doctor held her up for me just as she opened her mouth and gave a pitiful little Where-am-I? cry, and my heart responded.

Oh, how we loved our dainty firstborn child! Just looking at her perfectly-formed fingers, toes, chin, eyelashes and mouth could bring tears to my eyes. Could there ever be another baby so precious?

Two years and one week later, our hearts nearly burst with joy again. It was 6:32 on a June morning in 1982 when our son Jason arrived ... fast! The dr. described that delivery as if our son was "on a slippery slide and there was no stopping him!" Seconds later, he split the silence of the delivery room with a lusty cry! My mommy heart responded again, swelling with love and compassion and tenderness for our little man. Holding him close to my heart, I couldn't help laughing and crying at the same time.

How could we possibly love two children so much! Yet love them we did, and our happy little home seemed perfect and complete with one lovely daughter and one handsome son. Imagine my surprise when hubby suggested, two and a half years later, that we consider having another baby?

He had been to a men's conference and was extremely touched by a story a young father shared that day. Like us, this couple had a son and a daughter and figured their family was complete. One afternoon, however, their children surprised them with an unexpected request. Offering a jar full of pennies, nickles and dimes, they asked, "Could you use this to get us a little baby brother or sister? "

The father shared, at the conference, how unreasonable it all seemed ... their dreams of one boy and one girl had been fulfilled. Their lives were organized and prioritized to the "nth" degree, and he thought things were just fine. Should they even consider another baby? Why were the children so anxious for one when the parents were not?

It struck him as selfishness on his part -- strictly for convenience sake. Didn't God say that children are a blessing? He and his wife agreed to pray about it and ask God to tender their hearts if another child was His will for them.

Long story short, they did have a third child and their family was blessed beyond measure with the little 'caboose.' Why was my husband telling me all this? It was a sweet story, and I was moved by the tenderness in my husband's eyes as he related it, but...

We had recently sold off the playpen, crib, walker, highchair and everything else related to baby care. We, too, had finally settled into a little routine, and our son was sleeping well through the night after 15 months of up-and-down. (He wasn't a crier, he was just a happy night owl!)

It was almost unbelievable to think of starting again, wasn't it? I was in shock, to say the least. My hubby didn't press the issue. That night, when he prayed with me before bedtime, we specifically asked for God's wisdom and guidance in the matter of another child.

Long story short, we had a third child and our family was blessed beyond measure! On a blustery, raw day in January 1986 -- after a painful labor and our son being born with the umbilical cord choking him to blue and purple -- we cried out to the Lord!

When Kevin finally gave out a serious cry, my heart responded. Such relief and joy and bliss and thanksgiving it was to hold another son in my arms! A healthy son that was going to be just fine! God is so good, and we thank Him for each of our children.

Watching them grow up was a delight to my heart. There have been times -- many times -- I would pause to observe them working or playing together and think ... What we would have missed if we had stopped at two! It was hard to imagine life without our cuddly, comical, curly-headed Kevin. Surely, my cup -- and my heart -- was truly full!

Time rocked along, and our children grew up, left home for college and met their future spouses.
In 2005, the Lord gave us a brand-new daughter (in law) -- a perky, precious girl who thinks our son hung the moon. My heart expanded again.

In 2006, a son (in law) was added to the clan when Luke married our daughter, and lo and behold, I had room enough in my heart for him, too. He is a fine man and treasures our girl, so what more could we ask?

Their son Ethan was born in March of 2009, and we got to the hospital shortly after his arrival. I didn't hear him cry at all until the day we took him home to new surroundings. When I did hear him cry, my heart responded again... almost like he was my own. We sure have learned to love that precious lil' guy. When I am with him or hear his baby noises over the phone, my heart is full of love and joy.

And now we have Jason Cody! I can hardly wait to get him in my arms and fall in love all over again. I've learned the heart is an amazing organ and has plenty of room to grow. No matter how many family members are added, God has designed the human heart with the particular ability to expand with love!

Well, I'm off for now, but I'll post again when I get back, and I'll bring lots and lots of photos to share! For now, here's a sweet shot of my latest heart-expander ... doing some serious snuggling with his mommy.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above ..." James 1:17

I'm not biased, I'm just a Nana!

Is this a precious photo or what? Jason Cody, just five days old today, is modeling his puppy-dog beanie.
(Not, as our son informed me, a bunny beanie!)

Oh, how fun this grand-parenting experience has been. Moments ago, I received an email request to bring some baby onesies and outfits in various sizes.

Not just any, mind you, but some that bear a special logo -- University of Alabama and/or their motto, Roll Tide!

That's my son - still loyal to the home team! I think he plans to indoctrinate his son into this BAMA tradition. That way, he'll have a good buddy to help root for the Tide when they play on TV. I like that idea, myself.

Unless I'm sorely mistaken, my son and *his* son are probably cuddled up together in the cozy man-cave this very moment -- cheering on favorite NFL players and college teams, too. How I'd like to peek in on that happy little scene!

I suspect, though, that one of them would be excited and making a running commentary on passes, plays, fumbles and tackles. The other, however, might just be modeling his beanie with his eyes closed. Sleep on, little one... you should have plenty of time later to learn all about football.

We'll see you in about 12 days, Lord willing!

Meet my grandson!

And heeeeeerrrrrre he is -- our precious Jason Cody. These photos came through earlier, but I had to hold off on sharing until his Papaw (my dear hubby) could get to a computer and see them first. After all, he's the father of the father of this particular baby boy!

He and his Mommy had a bumpy ride through labor (22 hours with little progress) and at one point, his heart rated dropped drastically. Thus, the C-section for a quick retrieval.

We are thanking the Lord for His goodness and mercy in giving us little Jason Cody. I'm not sure if he will be called Cody, Jason or Jason Cody... but I'll let you know when I know! Here's the little family together... enjoying a special moment on his "birth" day...

"You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Your eyes saw my substance even before I was complete, and in Your book all my members were written -- which, over time, were fashioned. How precious are Your thoughts unto me, O God!" Psalm 139:13-17

A precious child is born ~

We are grateful for our little Pooh's safe arrival! When our son called, the joy in his voice was obvious as he reported both mommy and baby were fine.

We then discussed those all-important statistics every grandmother wants to know at that moment ...

Birth weight? Seven pounds and eight ounces. Length? Twenty and three-quarter inches long. Hair? Some, and it may be strawberry blonde. Time of arrival? Approximately 4:55 EST.

The fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, is a very special date, indeed, and shall be permanently etched on my heart.

"Hey, Mom, I sent you a pic of your new grandson ... check your cell phone, and I'll call you right back."

He did call right back, but I couldn't get the pic to download! Turns out, I'm not subscribed to that particular "extra" via my cell phone provider, so he's promised to send one through email tomorrow.

When we last spoke at 8:30 EST, the new little family was totally exhausted and needed to get some sleep. Oh, yes -- Jason did say "He's been awake since birth and is focusing and alert. He also got stuck four times and never cried."

Moments later, while we were still on the phone, our grandson began to exercise his lungs -- and specifically, his right to privacy... "He's getting his diaper changed, and he doesn't like it."

Ahhh... but what a wonderful sound to this Nana's ears. My little grandson was letting me know he was healthy and had the gumption to communicate his wishes -- and complaints!

I reminded his daddy that he, too, had good lungs at birth. In fact, the head nurse in the neonatal unit told me when Jason cried, he woke up all the other babies and soon had every baby in the nursery crying along with him!

What a joy to talk with my son on the day of *his* son's birth. I wanted to know what it was like for him to hold his own little man? "One of the best feelings ever ..."

Before we said goodbye, I asked him to kiss his sweet little wife and thank her for being a trooper through 22 hours of labor. We are so very grateful she and baby are fine. I also had him promise to kiss our grandson's toes for me -- my signature greeting for newborns.

Thank you, Lord for our sweet little Jason Cody! This is one happy Nana signing off until tomorrow. Can't wait to share some photos when they come through ...